Social Events - 2015

Shrine of Remembrance & 707 Railway Workshop - 9 April

The Creswick Men's Health Group organised the trip with members of the Creswick -Smeaton RSL & Clunes RSL also in attending.

Leaving the Information Centre carpark at 8am, by bus. We stopped for morning tea at the newly finished BP Roadhouse and McDonalsds Service Centre at Rockbank then proceeded onto the Shrine of Remembrance.

At the Shrine we were met by our Shine Guide and was taken on a tour of the newly completer Galleries of Remembrance which has been built amongst the pillars that hold up the Shrine. The display follows all the conflicts and peacekeeping roles that Australia has been involved in.

In the World War One section, where Turkey is represented, the Turkish Government donated money to assist with this project, continuing the close ties between our two countries.

Arrival at the Shrine of Remembrance

One of only two boats to survive from the original Gallipoli landing on 25 April 1915. On loan from the Australian War Memorial, Canberra

The entrance to the newly opened Galleries of Remembrance located under the Shrine of Remembrance

Captain Parsons rescued the flag from the Sultan of Johores Palace when Singapore fell and was smuggled into Changi prison when he was captured and stayed hidden with the Australians for the next three years. The Japanese never found it.

This wall contains over 4000 Service Medals from 100 Victorians who service either in war or peacekeeping actions.

The Eternal Flame being watched over by the Shrine of Remembrance

Before leaving we were invited to attend the Commemorative Service for HMAS Vampire, held in the Shrine's Sanctuary. HMAS Vampire was sunk on this day in 1942. One of those who was lost that day, was John Carey, and at the service his son Alan Carey laid one of the wreaths while his grandson Andrew Carey read the Reflection.

Shrine Governor, CMDR Terry Makings RAN RTD conducted the service

Alan Carey laying a wreath in honour of his father CPO John VA Carey

We went on the Steam Packet Hotel for lunch then to the 707 Railway Workshops in Newport where we were met by one of the volunteer members and shown around the locomotives and other workshops. We then boarded the bus for the trip back home to Creswick, arrive at 5:15pm

Ode of Remembrance

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow oldAge shall not weary them, nor the years condemnAt the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them